Saturday 2 December 2017

Did Niharika cry it out or not? - Short Story

Hello Readers, 

Hope you are liking my Blog! Well, this post narrates a series of emotional experiences shared by a close friend, and I am genuinely touched with her Story. I have changed the Names since, she wanted to keep her identity hidden. So... Let's find out if Niharika cried it out or not...


Saying "yes" to mom-dad, for marriage, was a big deal for Niharika. They always asked her if she liked someone but, she could just say, "I don't want to get married at present", and they used to remain silent for another couple of days. 

Days & Months passed...

While Niharika's parents were eagerly waiting for her approval, she was getting even more worried about them. She wondered how her parents will manage once, she leaves the house forever since, she is the only one whom they look up to, after her elder sister got married far away in Seattle, USA.

"Should I start responding?", Niharika's father used to ask her, everytime he got a good marriage proposal for her. It's our "Mom" to whom we generally look up to but, she was more connected to her father, emotionally. So, there were times when he questioned her in those "father-daughter special bond" ways, and she always replied in a comforting tone, "Dad, I'll tell you when I'm ready.". Deep down in her heart she knew, it was not comforting for him at all.




One day, you have to get married! This thought haunted her all this while but, she knew how harsh this ritual of "getting married" will prove for her parents since, they will just be on their own after her marriage.

One thing, which she couldn't deny was, She had turned 29. Moreover, the fact that she's not ready to get married even at the age of 29, was troubling her parents more than anything else. 




We have seen people, especially in India, getting worried for their children getting married at the right age. But, will someone please tell me, what's the right age for getting married? It's different for everyone. On one hand, parents are actually concerned about the questions which people around them ask when, there is someone unmarried in the family who has attained the so-called minimum age for marriage, and on the other hand, these unmarried innocent children are, either not ready mentally, or are concerned about issues like Niharika was.

So, one fine day, she told her dad that she is ready to tie The Wedding Knot, and that he can start looking for suitable matches. Her dad looked radiant that day, and he must have shared this Big News with her Mom since, she was very cheerful the same day in evening.

Niharika was happy with the fact, that she was the reason behind their smiles today but, couldn't express the pain in her heart. She just cried in her quilt that night, thinking that she has finally decided to part with them... she just hoped to be happy post marriage so that, she doesn't prove to be a trouble for them in future.


But, things changed...

As she saw her parents' enthusiasm over her marriage, she was content that she could give them that sense of happiness. She started liking the conversations they had regarding the marriage proposals.

Finally, they found the match and Niharika got engaged after few informal meetings with Nishant. Courtship period has always been the Golden Journey for almost everyone. She was also enjoying being the center of attention. Nishant sounded wise and promising. So, Niharika was all set to start her new life with him. 

She was enough involved in the preparations for her upcoming life, and her parents' happiness. Niharika wanted to prove herself efficient enough like her Mom, and was expecting Nishant to be as supportive as her father. Indeed, we always see our parents as a benchmark for perfection!




The D-day arrived! Niharika's only sister and brother-in-law had come all the way from Seattle. Niharika was also living her day to the fullest, the only concern she had was; whether she'll cry it out or not! It's kind of a ritual or you can say a very obvious emotion you get to see at an Indian Wedding; Tears rolling down the bride's cheeks at the Vidaai Ceremony, and making the immediate family cry along. 

Niharika felt nervous while taking Pheras. She was happy that she was getting married but, she was wondering if she is going to be that exception who didn't cry while parting with her parents. Time was flying, and she couldn't do anything. The look on her parents' faces, was making her feel weak on her knees... She wanted to hug them right away, she wanted to tell them how much she loved them, she wanted to express how she hated this ritual, and that she wanted to cry but, She didn't.






The moment finally came when she had to leave her parents behind, like every other girl, and nurture her own family. Her heart felt heavy, it's just that her tears didn't roll down. Everyone present at the Ceremony hugged and blessed her. She patted her mother's back and whispered, "Don't worry Mom, I'll be fine", and turned around fearing she would lose it. Unlike earlier, she feared if she starts crying now, she won't be able to hold herself. 

And...

As soon as, she was preparing to sit in the backseat of the car someone held her shoulder from behind. Niharika knew she was not strong enough to face this. She knew who it was! As, she turned around, and saw her dad crying... She lost it!

She hugged him, and cried it all out!




PS: Not all the people whom we leave behind, lose their significance in our lives! Some of them are loved like... Forever!